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Recent years have seen Japan reevaluate its defense posture and a subsequent strategic repositioning of the United States in Japan. In 2022, the Government of Japan allocated approximately 43 trillion yen (about 30 billion dollars) to the strengthening of Japan’s defense capabilities. On July 28, 2024, Japan hosted the U.S.-Japan Security Consultative Committee, which focused on accelerating the alliance’s integration. We asked four experts to look at the U.S. strategic repositioning in Japan, Japan’s expansion of defense capabilities, and the implications of these developments.Read their answers below.Zack Cooper Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute Partner, Armitage International Co-Host, Net AssessmentLeaders in Tokyo are using every tool in their toolkit to ensure Japan’s security. Facing growing threats and deepening cooperation among China, Russia, and North Korea, Japanese leaders are responding in three ways. First, Tokyo is expanding its own independent capabilities, including strike capabilities, to deter attacks on Japanese territory. Second, Japan is deepening cooperation with the United States, most notably through both allies’ establishment of joint operational headquarters in Japan. Third, Japanese leaders are working more with other foreign partners, co-developing combat aircraft with the United Kingdom and Italy, while also signing reciprocal access, information sharing, or cross-servicing agreements with Australia, the Philippines, South Korea, and India. These are momentous changes, and they are all happening simultaneously. This is a wise strategy, in part because it will bolster Japanese security regardless of what happens elsewhere around the world. Tokyo’s first preference would be deep integration with Washington, and that will likely continue regardless of who is in power next year. But if American leaders are distracted or divided, Japan will be able to rely more not just on itself, but also on partners in Europe and the Indo-Pacific.Sheila A. Smith John E. Merow Senior Fellow for Asia-Pacific Studies, Council on Foreign RelationsThe military balance